Sunday night’s episode of “Mad Men” was a climactic one, and possibly the best episode of the season. Peggy, fed up with being taken for granted by Don, landed a new job at a rival firm and resigned by Sterling Cooper Draper Price. Meanwhile, SCDP’s deal with Jaguar seemingly hinges on Joan sleeping with an exec from the car manufacturer. That Pete dared to bring this proposal to Joan was loathsome. The other partners’ (save Don’s) begrudging support of pimping out one of their most loyal and hardworking employees was disgusting. Even Don’s plea to Joan that sleeping with the exec “wouldn’t be worth it” (which came, unbeknownst to him, just a little too late) was not without room for criticism — his primary motivation was likely his ego’s desire to land the deal on his own merit.
But what of Joan’s decision to sleep with the Jaguar exec in exchange for partnership in SCDP (with a five percent stake)? We got a glimpse at Joan’s current home life as a single mom (her husband, Greg, having filed for divorce last episode), living with her judgmental mother, and it was clear that it’s not an easy, comfortable one. Was Joan’s decision to use her sexuality in the most blatant of ways to get ahead (exchanging sex for money) ultimately a feminist decision? Or was the fact that she was clearly conflicted — and certainly not “enjoying it” — a sign that she was clearly disempowered, whether she came out better financially or not? Jessica and I both had really strong opinions on the subject, so we decided to talk it out over IM. Read our convo after the jump and then share your views in the comments! Keep reading »
